Central Pa. Institute of Science and Technology to Host Festival of Trees as Part of Victorian Christmas

The Central Pa. Institute of Science and Technology will soon be transformed into a winter wonderland for Centre County United Way’s Festival of Trees.

As part of the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, the Festival of Trees begins Thursday and will feature 60 decorated trees, craft vendors and entertainment, said Sally Houser, event chairperson for the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas. Proceeds from the event will help support the United Way’s 37 partner agencies.

“We have always tried to give something back to the local community during the event,” she said. “Now by partnering with the Festival of Trees and it being a part of the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas event we can give back not only to our local community, but we can reach 37 agencies within Centre County supported by the Centre County United Way.”

Houser, first vice president of Historic Bellefonte Inc., said Kuhns Tree Farm, a Centre County tree grower, will provide the trees for the festival.

In its 31st year, the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas has drawn some 8,000 to 10,000 attendees in years past, Houser said. Visitors come from both the local community and surrounding counties.

“Within the past four years, due to a marketing grant received from the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners through our umbrella organization Historic Bellefonte Inc., our numbers from throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states has increased,” she said.

Houser said she hopes, whether a local resident or out of town visitor, people feel welcomed and enjoy the event.

“I would also hope that you will not only want to come back year after year to enjoy the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, but that you will want to come back to visit beautiful Victorian Bellefonte for years to come, no matter what the season.”

Festival of Trees hours are: from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday; and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Adults are $2 and children are $1.

The Central Pa. Institute of Science and Technology is located on Harrison Road in Pleasant Gap. A free shuttle will be available at the Bellefonte High School and on The Diamond in downtown Bellefonte from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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